Sometimes devotees will chant with notebook right in front of them, and just look at the notebook waiting for something to come up. The excuse they usually use is that, “If I have my notebook I can write it down and I can forget about it.” But just by having it there, immediately the tendency is that we start thinking, “Let’s see what nectar comes up from my meditation about it.” As soon as we look at that notebook we start thinking about all the things that we have to do for the day. There is no question of meditation on the Holy Name in these circumstances.
MKV, Vol 8- Pg 15, Our Progress in Life is Gauged by Our Chanting- May 01, 2001-Moscow